Ted O'brien's posts related to Budget

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Today, Senator O'Brien stood with local agencies who provide services and support to people with developmental disabilities in calling for the restoration of $120 million in funding cuts proposed in a recent budget amendment.

"Governor Cuomo has led the way in reforming the budget process and returning stability to Albany. However, as we continue budget negotiations, I believe it is vital that we enable our state’s nonprofits to fulfill their essential roles in our communities. I look forward to working with the Governor and legislative leaders to pass a responsible, yet fair, budget,” Senator O’Brien said.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Today, Senator Ted O’Brien voted in favor of the Senate’s budget resolution, strongly supporting its calls for millions of dollars of tax relief for families, financial support for new, growing businesses and restoration of funding cuts for programs benefiting people with developmental disabilities.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien announced today that he voted in favor of the 2013-14 state budget, as it was passed by the State Senate. The budget included significant tax relief for middle class families and small businesses in addition to strategic investments to encourage job creation and economic development in the Monroe and Ontario County communities Senator O’Brien represents.

“The hardworking families and small businesses who live in the 55th District have struggled long enough under a crushing tax burden and stagnant job market." Senator O’Brien said. “The nearly $2 billion in tax cuts included in this year’s budget are a crucial first step toward unleashing a new era of economic growth in our region.”

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien and the superintendents of four schools districts gathered at his office to speak out on significant increases in school aid in this year’s state budget and the expected positive impact on local students.

“I fought hard to increase school aid because a quality education is the key to giving our young people the tools they need to succeed in the workplace and become the job creators in the future,” Sen. O’Brien said. “More state funding for schools also relieves the cost burden on local governments and reduces the need to raise property taxes, which are the biggest impediment to growing our middle class.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Today, Senator Ted O’Brien stood alongside representatives of several tourism-related organizations and businesses, along with local elected officials, to tout the 55th Senate District’s growth as a tourism destination. He also highlighted state programs, newly introduced in this year’s budget, that seek to specifically promote, market and develop upstate tourism.

“As vibrant and exciting as the tourism industry is in Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region, we have only begun to unlock our full potential,” Senator O’Brien said. “These new initiatives, which will work in concert with our existing tourism groups and businesses, will be tremendous catalysts for growing our region’s tourism economy.”

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – At the end of this year's legislative session, Senator Ted O’Brien worked to restore $90 million in funding to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Today, Senator O'Brien joined local experts and advocates to discuss the importance of supporting quality services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and their families.

Last night, 13WHAM ran an excellent story on the state's Dedicated Highway and Bridge Fund. In a time when a third of Monroe County bridges are past their 50-year lifespan, only 22 cents on the dollar from this fund are being spent on capital projects.I appreciated the opportunity to share a potential solution in the segment. I am cosponsoring legislation that would realign this fund with its original, crucial purpose.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien, along with local government and school district officials, came together to state their concerns about the status of current state budget negotiations. Senator O’Brien believes that the needs of upstate New York are not being appropriately addressed in the budget proposals being advanced, particularly by the State Senate.